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Tony Khan Attacks Ariel Helwani After WWE Appearance

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 18th February 2023
Tony Khan AEW

AEW CEO Tony Khan has hit out at broadcaster Ariel Helwani after he appeared on WWE SmackDown in Montreal to discuss Sami Zayn’s title shot at Elimination Chamber.

Ariel Helwani and Tony Khan have had a frosty relationship ever since Helwani took issue with the AEW boss after he felt he was being stonewalled by him during a recent interview:

“He didn’t want to answer anything. You’re going to come on and promote X, Y, and Z, great. And I’ll play that dance with you. I did, at the beginning. But you got to give us something, to not even tell me how you were feeling.

I’m not asking for specifics, alright fine I am, but is Punk going to wrestle for you, is he coming back, you don’t want to get into it, fine. But tell me how you were feeling. Give me something.”

On SmackDown in Montreal, Ariel Helwani was in the crowd discussing Sami Zayn’s upcoming title shot against Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber. But Helwani’s appearance for WWE did not go unnoticed by Tony Khan who took to social media to label him “a fraud”:

“You’re a fraud @arielhelwani You’re as legitimate of a reporter as @tonyschiavone24”

Helwani responded to Khan while seemingly making quite the unsavoury allusion to the AEW CEO:

“Thanks for watching, old friend! Can’t wait for our next chat. (Also, don’t listen to the snowman, Schiavone. You’re a legend in my books.)”

Khan responded by doubting Helwani’s impartiality in his pro wrestling reporting:

“Good luck with the unbiased journalism.”